The matches that matter from the final Champions League group stage fixtures

Ahead of gameweek six and the final round of Champions League group stage fixtures, as ever there are a mixture of meaningful and almost irrelevant matches to get through. Nine teams have already booked their place in the last 16, though 13 are still battling for those seven available spots in the knockout phase.

Here we pick out the matches involving those sides, overlooking some matches that do still matter in terms of topping the group in order to focus on those that could ultimately see their European journey take a detour to the Europa League or end altogether.

In truth, it's all pretty straightforward in terms of permutations, that is until you get to Group B...

GROUP F

Lazio vs Club Brugge - Tuesday 8th, 17:55 KO

While a draw was enough for Borussia Dortmund to secure their place in the knockout phase, their opponents last week Lazio still have an important job on their hands. In what has been a hit and miss season to date, the Serie A outfit could put a positive spin on their campaign with as little as a point at home to Club Brugge, though the Belgian's would leapfrog their hosts with a famous victory. The visitors have never progressed past the group stages since the change to the current Champions League format.

GROUP H

Paris Saint-Germain vs Istanbul Basaksehir - Tuesday 8th, 20:00 KO

This one is straightforward as far as last season's runners up are concerned. Despite being one of three teams tied on nine points in Group H, the fact that the other two teams in said tussle play one another means a point would guarantee the Parisien's progression.

RB Leipzig vs Manchester United - Tuesday 8th, 20:00 KO

Following an unexpected thumping win for United in the reverse fixture, a point would be enough to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side through. As such, RB Leipzig must win but have done exactly that in all seven of their home matches this season. While United have an exceptional away record to stack up against that concerning statistic, they will need to become the first team to take a point from Julian Nagelsmann's side in order to reach the last 16.

GROUP D

Ajax vs Atalanta - Wednesday 9th, 17:55 KO

In the early kick-off on Wednesday there is a huge match up between the Netherlands finest and somewhat of a neutral's favourite in Atalanta. The latter gave their chances of reaching last season's feat of a place in the latter stages a monumental boost with a victory at Anfield but missed a huge opportunity to strengthen their position by drawing with Midtjylland. The Italians remain in the driving seat in Amsterdam, however, with Ajax a point back and in need of all three on home soil as a result.

GROUP B

Real Madrid vs Gladbach - Wednesday 9th, 20:00 KO

Now this is where things get really interesting, in a group where all four teams are still in with a shot at a place in the last 16. It's Gladbach that hold the advantage as things stand, needing just a point to guarantee their progression, while the Germans could even lose and go through if Inter beat Shakhtar.

As far as Real Madrid are concerned, a draw would be suffice if Inter beat Shakhtar, and they would definitely qualify with a win this week.

Inter vs Shakhtar - Wednesday 9th, 20:00 KO

At the foot of the group as things stand, Inter must win and hope that  Gladbach beat Real Madrid. Any other outcome in either match would see them eliminated. Shakhtar, meanwhile, can afford to draw if Real Madrid fail to be beat Gladbach and would definitely qualify with a win.

GROUP A

Salzburg vs Atletico - Wednesday 9th, 20:00 KO

Another more simple scenario to finish up, Salzburg must win to join Bayern Munich in the last 16 from Group A, while Atletico would qualify with a point.